Yi Yi (2000)

Brief Intro

‘Yi Yi,’ directed by Edward Yang, is a poignant Taiwanese drama that delves into the lives of a middle-class family in Taipei. Through its nuanced storytelling and intricate character development, the film explores themes of existential contemplation, familial bonds, and the passage of time. Yang’s masterful direction creates a deeply introspective cinematic experience that resonates on multiple levels.

Literary Devices Used in Yi Yi

In ‘Yi Yi,’ Edward Yang employs a rich tapestry of literary devices to weave a narrative that is both intimate and universal. Here are ten key literary devices with specific examples from the film:

Symbolism

Movie Scene	Device Example
NJ and Sherry’s reunion	The letter NJ keeps symbolizes unresolved feelings and the passage of time.
Yang-Yang’s photographs	The photos symbolize the search for truth and understanding from different perspectives.

Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Device Example
Grandma’s illness	Her initial fainting spells foreshadow the family’s impending emotional struggles.
NJ’s business deal	The uncertainty in NJ’s business dealings foreshadows his later professional and personal crises.

Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
Min-Min’s retreat	Despite seeking spiritual solace, Min-Min feels more disconnected and lost.
NJ’s nostalgia	NJ reminisces about past happiness while ignoring present familial connections.

Motif

Movie Scene	Device Example
Running water	Water appears frequently, symbolizing life’s continuous flow and change.
Windows and reflections	Used to show characters’ internal reflections and the divide between their inner and outer worlds.

Metaphor

Movie Scene	Device Example
Yang-Yang’s fish tank	The fish in the tank represent the confinement and limited perspective of the characters.
NJ’s Jazz records	Jazz music symbolizes the complexity and improvisational nature of life.

Flashbacks

Movie Scene	Device Example
NJ’s memories of Sherry	Flashbacks are used to explore NJ’s past and his lingering emotions.
Min-Min’s recollections	Min-Min recalls her youth, adding depth to her current existential crisis.

Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Device Example
NJ and Ting-Ting’s parallel struggles	Their experiences are juxtaposed to highlight generational differences in dealing with problems.
Taipei city life vs. quiet moments	The bustling city scenes contrast with quiet family moments, emphasizing internal vs. external chaos.

Dialogue

Movie Scene	Device Example
NJ and Yang-Yang’s conversation	Their discussions reveal deep philosophical insights and generational wisdom.
Ting-Ting and Fatty’s chats	Their dialogues uncover the complexities of young love and personal growth.

Soliloquy

Movie Scene	Device Example
Min-Min’s monologue	She speaks to her comatose mother-in-law, expressing her existential fears.
NJ’s introspection	NJ’s private reflections reveal his inner conflicts and desires.

Allegory

Movie Scene	Device Example
Yang-Yang’s film project	His project serves as an allegory for the search for truth and self-discovery.
The wedding and funeral	These events bookend the film, allegorically representing life’s cyclical nature.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Character Studies

Literary Device	Explanation
NJ	Symbolism: NJ’s jazz records symbolize his yearning for freedom and escape from mundane realities. Flashbacks: His memories of Sherry reveal his unresolved feelings and the impact of past choices on his present.
Min-Min	Monologue: Her soliloquy to her mother-in-law highlights her existential despair and search for meaning. Irony: Despite seeking peace at a spiritual retreat, she returns more lost and disconnected.
Yang-Yang	Metaphor: His photographs symbolize his quest for understanding and truth from different perspectives. Dialogue: Conversations with NJ reveal his innocent yet profound insights on life.
Ting-Ting	Juxtaposition: Her experiences are contrasted with NJ’s to highlight generational approaches to problems. Dialogue: Her interactions with Fatty explore themes of young love and personal growth.

Character Dynamics

The relationships in ‘Yi Yi’ drive the narrative and themes forward. NJ’s complex relationship with Sherry underscores themes of lost love and unfulfilled potential. Min-Min’s struggle with her role in the family highlights the theme of existential searching. Yang-Yang’s interactions with his family reveal a child’s innocent pursuit of truth. Ting-Ting’s romantic and familial relationships illustrate the turbulence of adolescence and the search for identity.

Thematic Analysis

Family and Connection

Literary Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Yang-Yang’s photos symbolize the fragmented perspectives within the family.
Juxtaposition	Contrasting scenes of family togetherness and isolation highlight the theme of connection.

Existential Contemplation

Literary Device	Explanation
Monologue	Min-Min’s soliloquy to her mother-in-law delves into her existential crisis.
Metaphor	NJ’s jazz records symbolize the complexity and unpredictability of life.

Passage of Time

Literary Device	Explanation
Flashbacks	NJ’s memories of Sherry explore the impact of past choices on the present.
Allegory	The wedding and funeral bookending the film represent life’s cyclical nature.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Visual and Sound Techniques

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Symbolism	Visual motifs (e.g., water, reflections)	Enhance themes of continuity and introspection.
Dialogue	Naturalistic sound design	Creates an immersive environment that underscores the authenticity of conversations.
Metaphor	Cinematography (e.g., framing, angles)	Yang-Yang’s photography scenes use framing to metaphorically explore perspective and truth.
Juxtaposition	Editing (e.g., parallel scenes)	Contrasting bustling city life with quiet family moments to emphasize internal vs. external chaos.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene Selection and Breakdown

1. NJ and Sherry’s Reunion
   • YouTube Link: NJ and Sherry Reunion Scene
   • Analysis: This scene uses flashbacks and symbolism to reveal NJ’s inner turmoil and the theme of unresolved love.
2. Min-Min’s Monologue
   • YouTube Link: Min-Min’s Monologue Scene
   • Analysis: Her soliloquy to her comatose mother-in-law highlights her existential despair, enhanced by the intimate cinematography and quiet sound design.
3. Yang-Yang’s Photograph Exhibition
   • YouTube Link: Yang-Yang’s Photograph Exhibition Scene
   • Analysis: This scene employs metaphor and visual techniques to underscore the theme of seeking truth and understanding.

Conclusion

To wrap up, here’s a fun and interactive quiz to test your understanding of the literary devices used in ‘Yi Yi’:

Multiple Choice Quiz

1. What device is primarily used in Yang-Yang’s photography scenes?
   • A) Irony
   • B) Metaphor
   • C) Allegory
   • D) Foreshadowing
2. Which literary device is highlighted in Min-Min’s monologue?
   • A) Flashbacks
   • B) Symbolism
   • C) Soliloquy
   • D) Dialogue
3. How does the film use water as a motif?
   • A) To symbolize clarity and purity
   • B) To represent life’s continuous flow and change
   • C) As a metaphor for freedom
   • D) To foreshadow future events
4. What theme is explored through NJ’s relationship with Sherry?
   • A) Familial bonds
   • B) Existential searching
   • C) Lost love and unfulfilled potential
   • D) The passage of time

Answer key:

1. B) Metaphor
2. C) Soliloquy
3. B) To represent life’s continuous flow and change
4. C) Lost love and unfulfilled potential